Anti-Gambling Proponent Huckabee Announces 2016 GOP Candidacy

Mike Huckabee has made it clear that he is against online gambling, and now, he is throwing his hat into the ring for the GOP candidate in the 2016 elections. In November 2014, Huckabee was quoted as saying, "Online gambling websites are preying on every kid with a smartphone or a tablet. This is frankly one of the most important topics that I don't hear anybody talking about."

Huckabee Made His Stance Clear

Huckabee made the above comments on his television program, Huckabee, on November 22, 2014. In that episode, Huckabee hosted former Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) to talk about the issue. Lincoln is a member of Sheldon Adelson’s Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling (CSIG), so there was no surprise what her stance was.

Both Lincoln and Huckabee came out in full support of the Restoration of American’s Wire Act (RAWA), which would impose a federal ban on online gambling, even on the three states that have already legalized it. Huckabee went so far as to say, “Frankly, this is one of those few things that I think, anyone who doesn’t support this in the Congress, they should be thrown out.”

Huckabee hosted his television show on Fox News from 2008 until January 2015, when he announced that he was stopping to consider his candidacy for the 2016 elections.

Huckabee’s Candidacy

Huckabee previously ran for the GOP spot in 2008, but John McCain won the coveted nomination. Huckabee did, however, win eight primaries and caucuses, showing that he was not at all without support.

In 2016, Huckabee will face other GOP hopefuls Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Dr. Ben Carson and businesswoman Carly Fiorina. Not to tmention those who have not yet announced their candidacies but are expected to: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry.